Antigua and Barbuda has shattered its tourism arrival records, with official figures confirming that total visitor arrivals surpassed 1.2 million in 2025 — a landmark achievement that positions the twin islands as one of the Caribbean's fastest-growing destinations.
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez announced the figures at a press conference, crediting the milestone to strategic airlift expansion, the success of marquee events, and sustained investment in product quality.
New Airlift Driving Growth
A major contributor to the record numbers has been the addition of Frontier Airlines' San Juan–Antigua service, which has opened a new gateway from the United States and connected Antigua with a broader Puerto Rican hub network. Combined with year-round British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines service, Antigua now has its strongest ever airlift connectivity.
Culinary Month and Nelson's Dockyard
Antigua's Culinary Month, held in October 2025, attracted international food media coverage and generated significant hotel bookings, with occupancy rates hitting 94% during peak festival weekends. The 300th anniversary celebrations at Nelson's Dockyard — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — drew heritage tourism visitors from across North America and Europe.
Cruise home-porting from St. John's Harbour has also expanded, with two major cruise lines now using Antigua as a homeport for Eastern Caribbean itineraries, generating significant pre- and post-cruise hotel stays.
